Healthnews

The first attempt to calculate the number of premature births around the world has produced some startling results, and many experts feel that the true numbers are much higher. Approximately 13 million infants worldwide are born premature. That translates to approximately 1 in 10 of the babies worldwide is born prematurely. One million of these infants will die as a result of being born prematurely.

The recent report released by the March of Dimes indicates that the majority of the premature births occur in Asia and Africa, however, they are closely followed by North America. This initial report is a collaborative effort with the World Health Organization, and they are expecting the numbers will only rise when the WHO completes a more in-depth study next year that will reflect country-by-country numbers.

The following are among the factors that could increase the risk of premature birth:

• Lacking the proper prenatal care to make sure that the expectant mother is getting the proper nutrition and care for such conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes and infections
• Drinking alcohol, using drugs, or smoking cigarettes
• Carrying multiple babies
• Elective inductions and cesarean sections within nations that are wealthy

When a woman gets pregnant—once she gets through the torturous morning sickness phase—she gets that healthy gorgeous glow that oftentimes carries through the rest of her term. However, even though pregnant women tend to get that special glow that radiates off of them, many still depend on skincare treatments to help them feel pretty when the rest of their body is rapidly changing and growing.

There are a few companies that have taken the reins and decided to make skincare their priority for pregnant women. Due to the number of chemicals and contaminants involved in a lot of skincare products, companies like Belli and Basq have made it their goal to make fetus-friendly products that are safe for the mom and the growing baby inside of her in order to make sure those nine months, and the years following are filled with great memories and nice, healthy skin.

Belli Skincare is touted as the “world’s safest skincare line” and is marketed to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and toddlers. Belli is recommended by some of the leading obstetricians in the United States because of its screening process. In 2002, Drs. Jason and Annette Rubin founded Belli Skincare choosing the best products to fit their high standards of quality: nontoxic ingredients, organic or holistic, dye and paraben free, with health benefits or aromatherapy. The doctors rely on a scientific approach to help them choose their products: Teratology.

Teratology is from the Greek for téras or tératos meaning genitive/monster and logos meaning the study of. Teratology is the study of genetic abnormalities as well as problems with physiological development. Birth defects occur in about 5 percent of all newborns, and is a leading cause of mortality.

If statistics are meant to spark awareness, with about 65 percent of infants with birth defects having no known cause, it seems like a great reason to take every precaution necessary. Belli Skincare consults professionals from around the country to find and promote the safest products for expectant families. Belli takes care to address every need for the various beginning stages of life from emerging embryo to cooing infant. Belli products are sold at a variety of retailers including spas, maternity stores, doctor’s offices, Pottery Barn Kids and can also be found online.

Another emerging skincare company in the fight for healthy babies and mothers is Basq. The experts at Basq strive to keep pregnant women looking their best by helping to take care of or by trying to prevent rashes, breakouts, blemishes, pregnancy swelling, stretch marks, and sensitive skin, among the rest of the uncomfortable skin concerns a pregnant woman may experience.

Basq was recently written up in the October 2009 issue of Yoga magazine touting the benefits of of their Energizing Body Lotion in their “What’s Hot” section. The professionals who started Basq—the name resembles the idea of “basking” in your pregnancy glow—polled hundreds of expectant and new mothers over a period of one year in order to find out their skincare issues and figure out a way to help them.

Out of this poll, Basq creators came up with what they call the company’s four guiding principles: Offer pregnancy skin care products pregnant women truly need; create high-quality, results-oriented pregnancy skin care; deliver an experience that women will really enjoy during and after pregnancy; and take a serious stance on safety. Basq is proud to carry completely safe products and never to stock any lotion, cream, oil, or essential aromatherapy ingredient that has ever had its safety or ingredients in question.

Skincare is nothing to take lightly and safety is a big concern among everyone especially soon-to-be mothers, new mamas, and healthy cherubic babies. Though not every woman is a mother, every woman understands the importance of feeling and looking your best in your skin.

Why would you take a pre-natal yoga class?  Pre natal yoga benefits the beginner as well as the seasoned yoga practitioner.   When you're pregnant you become more flexible (due to a hormone called relaxin) and so it is perfect for the beginner.  Progress tends to be visible after a few weeks decreasing any frustration concerning flexibility.  It is a great segue into a consistent practice of yoga if you've never had one.  If you are a seasoned practitioner, who is expecting, eventually the class you have been taking will no longer meet your needs.  There are certain poses that are contra-indicated leaving you with an incomplete feeling.   Shifting into a pre natal class will give you a complete experience.  It will also give the experienced practitioner a chance to strengthen and go deeper into the practice.  In a pregnancy yoga class energy is contained and reserves are accessed; in a general exercise class energy is expended.  A pre-natal yoga class also provides a community for the pregnant woman.

 Pregnancy yoga taught with an internal focus benefits the woman's labor tremendously.  The more you are internally connected the more energy you'll have for the process of labor.  You will be able to access energy that you didn't know you had.  It can be an entirely empowering experience.  The urge to give up may be at hand but if you've focused in a yoga class you'll know how to do that when the going gets tough.  The postures become more than movement that stretch and strengthen the body; they become an anchor for labor.  Many students report that they visualized certain postures while in labor to focus the mind and bring them back to the yoga class where they received support. 

What to look for in a Pre natal Yoga Class

 The focus of a pre-natal yoga class is to relax the mind and open the intuition.  In all the postures we relax the mind and maintain a focused gaze. A deep relaxation at the end of class is key to integrating the postures and breath.  This integration encourages connection to the internal witness and observer.  You'll get used to traversing through the inner-landscape where labor actually takes place.  The focus of a pre-natal yoga class is developing awareness through detachment.  It brings the realization that no matter what is going on around you during labor you can still keep your focus and move ahead with your process.

A pre natal yoga class is less about doing perfect postures and more about developing movement and breath that is organic to the individual.  The postures should be soft movements without the hard edge of perfection.  Each posture (or asana) should flow into the other without the stress or strain of achievement.  The class should also focus on the pelvic floor and lower abdominal muscles.  This area houses our reserves of power and energy.  Strengthening the pelvic floor through the lifting and release of the pelvic muscles is an important part of a pregnancy yoga class.  Through the awakening of this area all connected movement can flow. 
Through the use of the pelvic muscles not only does energy and power build but also the spine lifts and the vertebrae separate. The lightness experienced in the spine and torso creates inner space.  Inner space is expressed through a feeling of expanded awareness.  The more space you create the lighter you will feel.  The baby will also experience this.  This heightened awareness and lightness is sustained through the breath.

Importance of the Breath

 The breath is the doorway through labor and it is vital to any yoga practice.  The student's own breathing pattern needs to be developed and integrated.  Starting the yoga practice with observing the breath sets the stage for the rest of the class.  Beginning labor with the focus on the breath is an anchor for the challenge of labor.  So the breath can be what holds the whole experience together and gives a feeling of lightness and success.  If you hold your breath labor will be more laborious and rocky. If you observe when you hold your breath in yoga class then that will carry over into labor.  Observation of the dynamics of the breath during labor will support the process to have more of a flow.  If you are aware when you hold your breath then you can consciously breathe and let go.
 You may or may not use the breathing technique learned in childbirth classes, but you will definitely need to know and integrate your own breathing pattern.  Even if you can't make it to a pre natal yoga class you can still practice focusing on your own breathing rhythm.  Try the following exercise:

Meditation on the Breath

Sit in a comfortable cross leg position.  You can sit up on the edge of a pillow or have your back against a wall.  You don't want to feel pressure on your lower back so ground on your sitting bones and curve your tail bone toward you pubic bone.  Close your eyes and begin to draw inward.  Bring your awareness to your breath.  Notice your inhale and exhale and the pause in-between.  You're simply observing the flow of your breath without trying to change it or have it be other then what it is.  Continue to focus on the ebb and flow of your breath and begin to feel the energy underneath the breath.  Get a sense of the movement underneath your inhale and exhale.  What you sense is your energy reserve.  This energy is always available to you.  Even if you're exhausted you can still tap into this reserve through the focus on the breath.  Keep breathing and notice if you have an urge to hold your breath and simply let that urge to melt away as you keep the breath steady.  Then slowly open your eyes.

Feeling the Reserves of Energy accessed through the Breath

The energy underneath the breath is key to vitality.  It is also the key to sustaining focus during labor.  There comes a point during labor when you want to quit.  Since quitting is obviously not an option then getting a sense of your tremendous reserves is extremely important.  Your ability to connect with your energy reserves isn't something you think about.  You sense it through the connection with the breath.  Your breath is the pathway to this force.  Practice sensing this energy when you sit and do the breathing meditation.  The more you bring your focus to harnessing this energy the less time it will take to access it.  This energy creates internal space.

The Importance of the Abdominal Muscles

 The power center includes the pelvic floor as well as the area below the navel.  Moving the lower transverse abdominal muscle (below the navel) is important for strengthening these muscles so there's less pressure on the ligaments.  A way to move these is through the rhythm and power of the breath.  Belly breathing is an effective way of strengthening these muscles and also fanning the flame of the power center so it doesn't become weak.  Abs of steel won't help you through labor and delivery, but awareness of abdominal muscles will.  Abdominal breathing brings awareness into the pelvis.  Let's try a practice of belly breathing:

Abdominal Breathing

Start in the position we used for the breathing meditation. For this practice it's a good idea to bring your back against a wall so you can feel your lower back lengthening as you draw the belly toward your spine.  Close your eyes or keep them open and focus on your breath.  When you're ready inhale and expand the lower belly away from you and exhale draw the belly back toward your spine.  You want to feel both the release and contraction of the muscles, so you're clear about each movement.  You want to know your release and your strengthening so you have awareness of these muscles for delivery.  Practicing belly breathing while pregnant will help these muscles get back into shape quicker post partum.  The movement deepens your connection to the abdominal muscles and your baby.

The Magic of Supported Twists

Supported twists are excellent to bring in an expansive sense of being in the body.  Twists brighten and bring in lightness, relaxation and lateral awareness.  We spend our days in a linear forward facing world, consumed by appointments deadlines and stress.  Supported twists are excellent for creating a more expanded awareness in everyday life and labor.  Twists also assist with detachment and observation.  When you twist the spine to the left or right accompanied by a focused gaze then you experience a release and expansion of linear time.  Time becomes lateral expanding our energy field and our sense of ourselves.  Twists also open and relax the nervous system. 
 To do a supported twist you'll need a belt. Sit on the floor and extend one leg, bend the opposite knee and place the foot to the inside of the thigh.  Place the belt around the ball of the foot of the extended leg.  Inhale and elevated the spine and chest, as you exhale walk your hands down the belt toward your foot.  Do the other side.

Community

A pre natal yoga class gives you a sense of community.  It is a place where you can let your hair down and go with the flow of your changing body.  Every week a time is set aside for yourself, your baby and to experience a strong supportive community where confidence is built.
 In a pre natal yoga class everyone is at different stages in their pregnancy so you can see where you have been and where you are going in your body.  Pregnant women in different degrees share all sciatica, foot cramps and swelling.  Yoga relieves many of these symptoms.  Dreams can be shared in class if appropriate. When searching for a pre natal yoga class look for a multi level class, focusing on the whole process of pregnancy.

yoga.com

There are thousands of meditation techniques in the world. However, there is really only a few. If you strip away just a few small differences, then the number of meditation techniques drops considerably.

There are four ways in which meditation techniques vary:
1. Language and cultural emphasis
2. Point of focus
3. Integration strategy
4. Warm up Strategy

Each meditation technique has  a point of focus such as the breath, for instance. You are focusing on the point of focus. When the mind wanders, you allow your wandering thoughts the space to process themselves, then you gently bring your attention back to the point of focus.
A point of focus can be the breath, a body sensation, thoughts, a prayer, a song, a nonsense word, a candle, a concept such as love or infinity, the “inner light and sound”, a guru, etc.

An integration strategy consists of a set of short “interweave” practices, interwoven throughout the day, that creates a powerful meditative momentum in your daily life. It is the act of taking at least a couple minutes out of each hour for consciousness raising activities. Examples include “Office Yoga”, stretching for short intervals, conscious breathing, chanting, giving thanks and prayer for your food, etc.

If you have ever taken a yoga or Qigong class, you can probably come up with a few exercises to interweave into your day.  Otherwise, try to think about what really turns you on. Do you have a favorite inspirational poem or song? A favorite workout routine that centers you in your body after a long day spent stuck inside your head? Use these as interweaves.

Interweaves create profound results that you may not even notice at first. You may only be aware of 10% of what is actually going on. However, after a few days, you will notice that your meditation or Yoga practice routine will become so much easier. Your practice will be more effortless and you will be able to spend less time just “getting in the mood”. Therefore, you will have more time to meditate no matter how hectic your schedule is.

Islam requires its adherents to stop what they’re doing five times per day for prayer. Was this institutionalized practice designed as a demand of piety from a jealous creator god? It was actually designed as an integration strategy to provoke a momentum of deep inner communion on a massive scale. 

A meditation warm up strategy consists of a set of exercises that prepare the mind and the body for meditation. If you have taken Yoga classes, you may have heard the term “moving into stillness”. That is a pretty good description of a solid warm up routine. 

A rock solid meditation warm up routine begins with gross physical energy and progresses toward finer and finer levels of being until one reaches a place of stillness and spaciousness. For example, you may begin with Yoga asanas and practices for limbering the spine. Next, you continue with self massage, energy work, a few verses of scripture, compassion visualization exercises, and finally Yoga Pranayama breathing. Now, you’re ready for deep meditation.

In this hypothetical workout, you covered muscles, energy, intellect, emotions, imagination and breath. The best warm up strategies cover all these things. However, do not feel guilty if you do not have time for a complete holistic workout before meditation. Make sure your integration strategy is solid and you will not need to warm up as much during your regular routine.

The next time you try to tell yourself that you don’t have time (or the ability) to meditate, tell yourself “hogwash!” All you need to do is figure out what “turns you on” on a deep level and set aside a couple minutes out of every hour or two to do it. Then, find a regular time for your practice routine. You do not need to spend a lot of time doing your routine, as long as the routine is “routine” for the most part.  Keep the principles of warm up, integration and momentum and your meditation will become very natural.